Department Stores

This French men’s wear brand offers quality clothing staples and accessories for both casual and formal occasions. Men can find everything from shorts and pants to shirts and outer wear. The shops also have shoes, belts, and bags for the fashion-forward. The ready-to-wear collections are tailored well and offer a sleek, modern look with their everyday essentials, too. The brand typically offers a “Small Prices” sale on last season’s collection, so do not forget to browse through the sale section — especially during shoulder seasons. 

One of the classic “grand magasin” department stores in Paris, the flagship Galeries Lafayette on the Boulevard Haussmann has been a landmark on the city’s shopping scene for over a century. The shop’s grand staircase was inspired by its neighbor, Opéra Garnier. The symbol of the shop, however, is its stained-glass, Neo-Byzantine dome, which towers above seven floors filled with clothing, cosmetics, jewelry, and fine watches. There’s over 3,500 brands (including all the big players, like Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent), with 150 brands devoted to shoes on the ground floor alone. When you’re ready for a shopping break, post up on the second floor at the Vue sur Coupole for a snack and a fantastic view of the Eiffel Tower, Opera House. Check out the rooftop terrace open during the daylight hours.

Le BHV sits near Notre-Dame in the heart of the city, bridging the divide between the Left and Right Banks. The shop initially started with hosiery in 1852, but it’s since been expanded and resembles something of a French Macy’s. There’s over 900 brands, in addition to individual stands by recognizable shops like Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters. The third floor is devoted to housewares and gourmet goods, while the fourth floor unfolds into a furniture showroom featuring stylish brands like AMPM. For DIY fans, the real treasure is in the basement, where you’ll find what’s arguably the sleekest hardware shop in France.

In 1852, a milliner’s son and his wife came to Paris from Normandy and opened a small shop in the 7th Arrondissement. This became one of the city’s most luxurious department stores, Le Bon Marché, which is owned today by the LVMH Group. Throughout the year, the department store hosts various art exhibits, transforming sections of the shop into galleries. Hour-long guided tours are offered one Sunday a month, divided by themes like designer furniture, contemporary art, and history of the Bon Marché’s architecture. Brands range from chic, up-and-coming French designers to more classic labels like Chanel and Céline.

Considered a historic monument, the Printemps department store was founded in 1865 and is one of the more recognizable buildings in the city, thanks to its gorgeous glass dome — which spans over 65 feet in diameter. On the ninth floor of the Beauty-Home Store, you can step out on the panoramic terrace and find an unobstructed view from the Opéra to the Madeleine and from the Eiffel Tower to Montmartre. Another site to admire: the elaborate, Art Deco cupola stretching above the Brasserie Printemps. On the ground floor of the Men’s Store, Jules Café is a French take on fast food, serving breakfast, lunch, and cocktails in the evening.